American policymakers have come to view principals as linchpins in plans for educational change. Findings of a study that examined how the principal's role changes in a school that is engaged in fundamental restructuring are presented in this paper. Data for the longitudinal case study of a suburban-urban school district in the northeastern United…

The early stages of a microcomputer-based project to integrate managerial knowledge and practice are described in this report. Analysis of the problem-framing process that effective principals use to reduce complex problems into more manageable ones forms the basis of the project. Three cognitive-mapping techniques are used to understand the…

A systematic understanding of how various behavioral components (vision, articulation skills, empowerment, unconventionality, and risk-taking) work together to set apart certain individuals as charismatic leaders is presented. Using illustrations from the careers of charismatic leaders, including Steve Jobs, Lee Iacocca, Mary Kay, John DeLorean,…

An analysis of the problems facing leaders in higher education or other organizational settings as well as insights on effective leadership is presented. The 23 chapters are organized in four parts. Part 1, "The Unconscious Conspiracy and How to Confound It," suggests the presence of such a conspiracy involving the entrenched bureaucracy and…

Educators have great moral, ethical, and legal obligations to create schools where all students can achieve their full potential and receive an equal opportunity to succeed in society. Central to that goal are principals who act as instructional leaders. Drawing upon literature, research, and case studies of principals in practice, the first four…

Whatever the past achievements of our schools, very few today bring about student learning even remotely up to the minimum requirements of a nation such as the United States; small improvements in the educational system will be of little consequence in light of the huge deficits and the country's increasing needs. Most of the large, complex plans…

Results of a descriptive quantitative study to identify personal beliefs and goals shared by effective school principals are presented in this report. Data were collected through an experience sampling study of principals, and through teacher and student attitudinal surveys. The experience sampling stage involved 81 Illinois elementary or…

The comments of 21 library professionals from academic and public libraries on principles of library administration are presented in this guide. The members of the Library Administration and Management middle management discussion group touch upon goal setting in management, getting to know new staff, interpersonal relationships between employee…

A framework for the professional certification and preparation of principals is developed in this report. Contents include discussions of the context of school leadership, implications for school leaders, expanded leadership roles, suggestions for preparation programs, and principals' domains. Based on the premise that principal preparation…

This volume provides a comprehensive synthesis of competencies that research has associated with the administration of effective schools. Following an introduction, section 1, "Re-thinking the Organizational Structure of Schools," presents current thinking on the organizational structure in which school administrators function.…

In recent years, the role of the principal has become more critical in the success of schools. School improvement is often tied to principal performance, yet the practice of evaluating principal performance leaves a lot to be desired, according to some educators. This ERIC Digest reviews current principal evaluation practices and describes some…

In 1983, the National Commission on Excellence in Education declared that the United States was "at risk" due to a rising tide of mediocrity in public education. In the myriad educational reforms since this declaration, one recurrent theme in these efforts has been professional development. The critical significance of staff development in a…

Despite their prominence, the voices of superintendents are rarely heard regarding their personal triumphs and challenges in educational administration and serving the needs of students. Chapter 1, "A Look at the Featured Superintendents," introduces 14 superintendents and reviews their careers. Chapter 2, "The Good: Dealing With…

This book presents a process and framework designed to improve the chances that administrators will learn within the context of leading. It shows administrators how to use portfolios to develop their philosophy and leadership, zero in on goals, create plans and participate in professional development, coach peers, and assess and articulate what…

This book demonstrates how teachers and administrators can work collaboratively on maintaining continual growth, focusing on the Life Cycle of the Career Teacher Model, which crosses the continuum of practice from preservice preparation through professional development. Case studies illustrate the Reflection-Renewal-Growth Cycle Model in action.…